EVA Air pilot probed for assaulting first officer while taxiing at LAX

Taipei, Jan. 4 (CNA) Taiwan's EVA Airways said Saturday that it had suspended and opened an investigation into a pilot who allegedly lost his temper and punched the first officer as their plane was taxiing before takeoff at Los Angeles International Airport.

According to a report published Thursday on the Reporter Taiwan (記者爆料網) website, the incident occurred after the flight's Malaysian first officer tried to warn the Taiwanese pilot, surnamed Wen (文), that he was taxiing above the speed limit of 30 knots.

After alerting the pilot several times to no avail, the first officer manually applied the brakes in accordance with standard operating procedure.

The pilot, however, took offense at the intervention, and punched the first officer at least four times, the report said, leaving him with swelling and bruising on the back of one hand.

The whistleblower cited in the article said they were disappointed that an emergency response plan was not immediately activated, and that a pilot exhibiting "emotional unstable" behavior was allowed to continue the flight, potentially putting passengers' safety at risk.

The report said the incident had occurred "recently," but did not give an exact date.

In a statement issued Saturday, EVA Air said it had launched an investigation immediately after learning of the incident, and was still working to confirm the details of what occurred.

The airline said data from the flight's quick access recorder (QAR) indicated that the plane was complying with regulations while taxiing, and was not speeding.

Records from the QAR have been submitted to the relevant regulatory agencies, the company said, adding that in the meantime, the public should not "spread misinformation."

Once the investigation is completed, the pilot, who is currently suspended from flying duties, will be referred to the airline's disciplinary review board for further review, EVA Air said.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's Civil Aviation Administration said it had opened its own investigation into the incident, and will impose legal penalties if it is found that any of the crew's actions affected flight safety.